Thanh Van, a French citizen and journalist for Vietnamese exile media, was arrested along with a group of four political activists associated with the pro-democracy Viet Tan party.
Thanh Van is an editorial member of the overseas-based Vietnamese monthly Viet Nam Dan Chu and contributes to the radio program “Chan Troi Moi,” which is regularly broadcast to Vietnam from Japan and the United States. She and the others were arrested by security officials during a meeting with local democracy activists at a private residence in Ho Chi Minh City, according to a source associated with the Viet Tan party. The government did not immediately disclose charges.
Thanh Van was released on December 12 with three of the activists. No formal charges were brought.